On June 2nd, 2021 H.E. the Ambassador to the European Union in Rwanda, Nicola Bellomo, and the Head of the Rural Development Section, Amparo Gonzalez, visited the Coffee Washing Station (CWS) of Nyakizu, which is supported by ICU through the EU-funded project “A market driven approach for value chain improvements and the expansion of the Rwandan coffee market”. The official visit was also attended by representatives of Kahawatu Foundation, the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) of Rwanda, the local District of Nyaruguru.
During the visit, we had the chance to showcase the impact that the project is having on local farmers who provide coffee to the CWS, also thanks to their high levels of engagement in agronomy, management and sustainability trainings kept by our local partner, Kahawatu Foundation. Then, we moved to the coffee washing station, where we have been able to witness the entire washing process, from the arrival of the cherries, through de-pulping, washing, sorting and to the final step of drying. Finally, we visited the nursery where new coffee trees are planted for the benefit of local farmers, who will in turn use them to rejuvenate their old trees.
In the end, we had the chance to taste with the farmers their locally made coffee and to hear more about their experiences as well as the ones of representatives from NAEB, the CWS and the local District.
We are very thankful to all the people who took part in this inspiring day and showed interest into our project.
